1/30/2008 Algebra 1 - Graphing Systems of Inequalities

Today you will see examples of 2 types of problems:

1) How to check a solution to a system of linear inequalities.
2) How to find (graph) a solution to a system of linear inequalities.

To see a video explanation of how to do problems like #1 click here. Watch and listen to the video for Example 1. 

To see a video explanation of how to do problems like #2 click here. Watch and listen to the video for Examples 2 & 3.

The YouTube video below should help as well:

Homework:
page 435-436 #'s 9-11, 15-23

1/30/2008 Algebra 2 - Polynomial Division to Solve

Today we started dividing polynomials in order to find solutions. Students took notes on synthetic division and solving using synthetic division. See some examples here. We did a worksheet together in class, then students worked on the graded assignment. The YouTube video below should help as well:

Homework:
p. 356 # 28-34 even, 42-52 even

1/29/2008 Pre Algebra - Chapter 5 Review

Today students will review for the Chapter 5 Test, which will be on Thursday.

1/29/2008 Applied Geometry - Chapter 7 Test

Today students take the Chapter 7 Test

1/29/2008 Algebra 1 - Systems of Equations Word Problems

We continued our work today with systems of equations. Students were introduced to systems with no solutions and many solutions. Students also began setting up word problems to be solved by combination or substitution. We corrected the homework due for today, students took notes over the example problems, then worked on the worksheet due for Wednesday. Some examples of these can be viewed here. The youtube video below should help as well:

Homework:
Worksheet

1/28/2008 Algebra 1 - Systems of Equations Word Problems

We continued our work today with systems of equations. Students were introduced to systems with no solutions and many solutions. Students also began setting up word problems to be solved by combination or substitution. We corrected the homework due for today, students took notes over the example problems, then worked on the worksheet due for Wednesday.  Some examples of these can be viewed here.  The youtube video below should help as well:

Homework:
Worksheet

1/25/2008 Algebra 1 - Linear Combination

Today students learned the Linear Combination method for solving systems of equations. The youtube video below will show the process:

They took notes on some example problems in class and then practiced on a worksheet. We went through it together as a class, then they worked on their graded assignment.

Homework:
page 414-415
8,12, 16-24 even, 36

1/25/2008 Applied Geometry - Chapter 7 Review

Students worked on the review packet for Tuesday's Chapter 7 test.

1/24/2008 Algebra 1 - Linear Combination

Today students learned the Linear Combination method for solving systems of equations. The youtube video below will show the process:

They took notes on some example problems in class and then practiced on a worksheet. We went through it together as a class, then they worked on their graded assignment.

Homework:
page 414-415
8,12, 16-24 even, 36

1/24/2008 Algebra 2 - Factoring Polynomials

Today we will work on factoring polynomials so that we can solve them later.  We will focus on three 'methods' of factoring polynomials

•  factoring out a monomial (find the greatest common factor)

•  factoring the sum or difference of a cube

•  factoring by grouping, shown below:

We will work through some example problems together on the board, students will try some on their own on a worksheet, then they will begin the assignment for Monday.

Homework:

pages 348-349 #'s 18-26 even, 34-66 even

1/23/2008 Pre Algebra - Solving Equations Involving Fractions

Today we put our work with fractions to use in solving equations.  In order to solve an equation with a fraction coefficient (ie 2/3x = 8), you must multiply both sides of the equation by the reciprocal of the fraction (3/2 for our example).  We did some example problems on the board together, students did some on their own on a worksheet, then did a problem as an in class assessment.

Homework:

p. 249 & 250 #'s 11-18 & 21-29

1/23/2008 Applied Geometry - Measurement & Similar Figures

Today we focused on some practical applications of similar triangles, scale drawings and indirect measurement.  We showed how to solve some problems using these 2 methods.  We did some examples on the board together, then students worked on some problems from the book and did a problem solving worksheet.  the youtube clip below will provide some additional help:

Homework:

p. 491-2 #'s 2-6, 10-14, 24-26, 28 & worksheet p. 41

1/23/2008 Algebra 1 - Systems of Equations (Introduction & Substitution Method)

Today we will begin working in Chapter 7, focusing on systems of equations. Students took notes over some example problems on the board. They practiced on this worksheet in class and then worked on the graded assignment.

Homework
p. 401 12-16 ev, 17-19
p. 408 18-34 even

1/22/2008 Algebra 2 - Adding, Subtracting & Multiplying Polynomials

Today we continue or work with polynomials, again laying the foundation for our work later on when will will be solving polynomial equations.  We will adding, subtracting and multiplying polynomials today.  Adding and subtracting polynomials consists of adding like terms (a review concept).  Multiplying can be thought of as the distributive property repeated a few times.  Students will take notes of some examples illustrating the above ideas.  To see some video illustrations visit these youtube links:

Students will be working on the assignment for Thursday upon completion of the notes and demonstrations.

Homework:

page 341 #'s 14-62 even

1/22/2008 Algebra 1 - Systems of Equations Introduction

Today we will begin working in Chapter 7, focusing on systems of equations. Students took notes over some example problems on the board. They practiced on this worksheet in class and then worked on the graded assignment.

Homework
p. 401 12-16 ev, 17-19
p. 408 18-34 even

1/18/2008 Pre Algebra - Multiplying & Dividing Fractions

Today students will be reviewing multiplying & dividing fractions

Homework:

p. 240 8-18 even, 24-28 even, 30-34 even &

p. 245 16-26 even, 30-34 even

1/18/2008 Applied Geometry - Applications of Similar Triangles

Today in class, we continued with the study of similar triangles. Today focused on some different applications of similar triangles.

1) If a line parallel to a side of a triangle intersects the other 2 sides of the triangle, then it divides those sides proportionally.
2) An angle bisector divides the opposite side of a triangle into 2 segments whose lengths are proportional to the other 2 sides.
3) If three or more parallel lines intersect two transversals, then they divide the transversals proportionally

Students took notes from the board, came up with some questions from the lesson, then they worked the graded assignment.

Homework:
p. 484 1-4, 6-11, 13-20, 26

1/17/2008 Algebra 2

Today I will be absent, so you will complete a review assignment from sections 6.1 & 6.2, p. 947 #'2 2-24 even & 25-28 all.  That and your homework due for today will be due Monday.

Homework:

page 947 #'s 2-24 even & 25-28 all

1/17/2008 Algebra 1 - Chapter 6 Test

Algebra 1 will be taking the Chapter 6 Test as planned.  No HW for Monday.

1/18/2008 Algebra 1 - Chapter 6 Test Review

Students completed the chapter 6 Review Packet in preparation for Thursday's Test

1/16/2008 Pre Algebra

I will be gone today and students will be doing a review assignment out of the book.

1/16/2008 Applied Geometry

I will be gone today, so students have some review worksheets to complete.  Homework due for today will be held until Friday.

11/15/2008 Algebra 1 - Test Review (Chapter 6 Test Thursday)

Students completed the chapter 6 Review Packet in preparation for Thursday's Test

1/15/2008 Algebra 2 - Polynomial Functions

Today's lesson focused on polynomial functions. Students began by taking notes ( on the definition, examples & non-examples of polynomial functions. Students learned 2 methods of evaluating polynomial functions as well. We did a worksheet in class then students worked on the graded assignment.  You can see some video demonstrations here if you need help (Click on examples 1 and 2).  

Homework:
p. 333 16-30 even, 38-46 even, 49-52 all

(students also received an extra credit sheet today)

1/14/2008 Pre Algebra - Adding & Subtracting Unlike Fractions

Today we will continue our review work with fractions, adding & subtracting unlike fractions.  This will involve finding the least common denominator (least common multiple) before adding or subtracting.  Students will do some example problems in their notes, then submit their questions and work on the assignment.

Homework:

pages 234-235 #'s 12-19, 24-27, 36-39, 46-48

1/14/2008 Algebra 1 - Graphing Inequalities in the Coordinate Plane

Today students learned how to graph linear inequalities in 2 variables using the process below:
1) Plot the y-intercept
2) Move to the next point using the slope
3) Draw a dotted or solid line
4) Shade above or below the line

Students took notes on some example problems done on the board, then did a worksheet for practice. When we were finished going over it, they worked on the graded assignment due for Thursday. Graph paper can be printed out here.

Homework:
p. 363 #'s 16-22 even, 43-48, 61-63 & worksheet

1/14/2008 Applied Geometry - Similar Triangles

Today we continued with simialar triangles. We talked about the 3 Similarity Postulates, the Angle-Angle Similarity, Side-Side-Side Similarity, & Side-Angle-Side Similarity Postulates.  Students took notes giving the 3 postulates and how to use them.  Students also wrote down the answers to their questions they asked last time and came up with 3 questions for the new lesson.

Homework:
page 474-477 #'s 1-6,11-16,23,24

1/11/2008 Algebra 1 - Graphing Inequalities in the Coordinate Plane

Today students learned how to graph linear inequalities in 2 variables using the process below:
1) Plot the y-intercept
2) Move to the next point using the slope
3) Draw a dotted or solid line
4) Shade above or below the line

Students took notes on some example problems done on the board, then did a worksheet for practice. When we were finished going over it, they worked on the graded assignment due for Thursday. Graph paper can be printed out here.

Homework:
p. 363 #'s 16-22 even, 43-48, 61-63 & worksheet

1/11/2008 Algebra 2 - Exponent Properties

Today's lesson focuses on the properties of exponents that will help us with the upcoming sections of the chapter. Examples can be found here.  Examples can be seen here and here. 

Homework:

page 326 #'s 16-47

1/10/2008 Pre Algebra - Adding & Subtracting Fractions With Like Denominators

Today's section focuses on reviewing addition & subtraction of fractions.  Students will take some notes over some example problems before they turn in some questions for credit and work on the assignment that is due for Monday.

Homework:

10-25 all, 30-36 even, 38-42 even, 46-50 even

1/10/2008 Algebra 1 - Solving Absolute Value Equations & Inequalities

To begin class, we did a review assignment over the previous 3 sections.

Then we talked about solving absolute value equations and inequalities. See some examples here. An absolute value equation looks like the following: |2x-1|=8
Our objectives are:

1) Set up 2 equations to solve an absolute value equation
2) Solve an absolute value equation
3) Set up 2 inequalities to solve an absolute value inequality
4) Solve an absolute value inequality

I did some example problems on the board for notes, then students used those examples to help them complete the worksheet.

Homework:
worksheet

1/10/2008 Applied Geometry - Similar Polygons

Today we used our review of ratio and proportion from Tuesday to illustrate and identify similar polygons.  You can read about them and try your own experiments with them here.  We will go over the Ratio & Proportion worksheet in class today, then students will submit some questions and work on the book assignment due for Monday.

Homework:

pages 465-466 #'s 2-5, 7-17, 19-20

Ratio writing assignment due by tomorrow (Friday) @ 2:34

1/9/2008 Algebra 2 - Quadratic Story Problems

Today we did a review assignment over solving quadratic equations.  Students continued to review solving quadratic equations on the worksheet they received in class, which involves solving quadratic story problems.

Homework:

worksheet

1/9/2008 Algebra 1 - Solving Absolute Value Equations & Inequalities

To begin class, we did a review assignment over the previous 3 sections.

Then we talked about solving absolute value equations and inequalities. See some examples here. An absolute value equation looks like the following: |2x-1|=8
Our objectives are:

1) Set up 2 equations to solve an absolute value equation
2) Solve an absolute value equation
3) Set up 2 inequalities to solve an absolute value inequality
4) Solve an absolute value inequality

I did some example problems on the board for notes, then students used those examples to help them complete the worksheet.

Homework:
worksheet

1/8/2008 Pre Algebra - Rational Numbers

Students took notes regarding rational numbers.  We defined them and then wrote various numbers (whole numbers, mixed numbers & decimals) as rational numbers.  Students did an in class assignment that we turned in before class was over.

In Class Assignment:

pages 222-223 #'s 20-42 even, 50-60 even

1/8/2008 Algebra 1 - Chapter 6 Refresher

Today we reviewed all that we had previously learned in Chapter 6 up to this point. Students took some notes over some example problems (solving one-step inequalities, flipping the inequality symbol, solving multi-step inequalities, solving compound inequalities) and then practiced on some problems from the book. Students will be taking a quiz over these sections on Wednesday, which will be taken as an in-class grade.

Homework:

Review for Wednesday's quiz

1/8/2008 Applied Geometry - Ratio & Proportion

Welcome back! Today we began Chapter 7 which focuses on Similar Triangles. First we reviewed ratio & proportions, which will be used in the second section for similar triangles. Ratios compares 2 numbers by division & a proportion is an equation stating two ratios are equal. We went through our vocabulary and example problems on the board. Additional example problems for this section can be found at the following links ( section 1 & section 2 ).

Homework:

pages 457-458 #'s 3-10, 13, 22-24, 26, 35-36

worksheet will be due Thursday

paper is due by Friday @ the end of the day

1/7/2008 Algebra 1-Chapter 6 Refresher

Today we reviewed all that we had previously learned in Chapter 6 up to this point.  Students took some notes over some example problems (solving one-step inequalities, flipping the inequality symbol, solving multi-step inequalities, solving compound inequalities) and then practiced on some problems from the book.  Students will be taking a quiz over these sections on Wednesday, which will be taken as an in-class grade.

Homework:

Review for Wednesday's quiz

1/7/2008 Algebra 2 -Chapter 5 Refresh

Today we we will refresh our Chapter 5 knowledge.  Students will be refreshing their memories on solving quadratic equations, using the the various methods (factoring, using square roots and the quadratic formula) and the various processes involved therein.  I will provide some review problems on the board for notes, then the students will work on some problems in class.  We will have a 'quiz' on Wednesday, but it will only count as an in-class assignment, not a test grade.  To see some additional examples, revisit Chapter 5's post on the blog (here, here, and here)

Homework:

review notes for the Chapter 5 quiz on Wednesday (assignment will be turned in today in class)